Finance Minutes 27th November 2007
Minutes of a meeting of the FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 27th day of NOVEMBER 2007 at 7. 15 p.m.
Present: Cllr H Smith Chair
Cllr Mrs M Govier Chair Properties
Cllr M Harper
Cllr Mrs A Johnson Town Mayor
Cllr Mrs J Metcalf
Cllr R Pike Dep Town Mayor
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr W Sellis
Cllr D Whitcomb
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
One member of the press
386. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr I C Jennings.
387. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 30th October 2007, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 6th November 2007 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
388. MATTERS ARISING
There were no such matters.
389. MEETING OF THE PROPERTIES COMMITTEE HELD EARLIER THAT EVENING
The Chairman of Properties reported that a recommendation to take forward the Pixon Lane project had been made. It was unanimously RECOMMENDED that this be so
390. MINUTES OF THE FORWARD PLANNING, POLICY AND PROGRAMME SUB-COMMITTEE
Members received the minutes of the meeting held on 13th November 2007. A copy of the accounts for Tavistock Forward for 2006 was also presented. No change to the recommendations in the Minutes was made. The precept for 2008/2009 was noted and again RECOMMENDED to Council.
391. NOTES OF THE WEST DEVON/TAVISTOCK CONSULTATIVE LIAISON GROUP
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 24th October 2007.
392. MINUTES OF THE TOWN ALIVE REVISTED MEETING
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 18th October 2007. Cllr Whitcomb would attend the next meeting.
393. MINUTES OF THE G10 LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS GROUP
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 19th October 2007. Cllr Pike reported that there had been a proposal that a standing member should represent the Town Council rather than have the mayor, who would change every year. He hoped that Members would agree with him that the current mayoral involvement should continue. Cllr P Sanders noted the £300,000 grant made to salvage the Okement centre and thought the DCC precedent might be to our future advantage.
394. MINUTES OF THE TaVi DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 15th November 2007.
395. GENERAL FINANCE
a. Accounts Members considered the monthly accounts for submission to the next Council Meeting, a copy of which is at Annex A. It was RECOMMENDED that they be passed for payment.
b. TaVi Grant. It was estimated that £3,000 of the £5,000 allocated by the Council to TaVi for their administration might remain unspent as at the 31st March 2008. TaVi had asked if this money could be carried forward into the 08/09 financial year. Members thought that if this balance was not rolled-over, TaVi would anyway need to ask for another grant. They RECOMMENDED that the balance left be rolled-over into the next financial year for administrative costs.
396. GOOSE FAIR ACCOUNTS
Members noted the Park and Ride and main Goose Fair accounts, and congratulated the staff on a successful year.
397. CREATING STRONG, SAFE AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES STATUTORY GUIDANCE: DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION
Members received the draft document which was a follow up document to the white paper and 2007 Act. It was clear that parish councils would have to compete with neighbourhood groups for kudos and money. The guidance covered local strategic partnerships, sustainable community strategies and local area agreements, including crime and law enforcement; economic development; Government and public administration and the NHS. We had until 12th February 2008 to make comments and Members expressed concern about the concept of funding going to un-elected groups not subject to codes of conduct and seemingly un-accountable. After some discussion Members agreed that a small task and finish group should be set up to consider the document and frame comments. The group would be selected at the full council meeting, and could include non-councillors.
398. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.
Rising 7. 55 p.m.
Signed .. .
Dated